New Wind Farm Projects to Supply Arkansas, Nebraska

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma is adding two new wind farms that will provide a combined 250 megawatts of wind energy to utilities in Arkansas and Nebraska, developers said.

Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. said it’s reached an agreement to sell 150 megawatts of wind energy to Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp., which is part of a cooperative that provides electricity for more than 500,000 customers. RES Americas plans to build a wind farm with 75 turbines in Murray and Carter counties with a completion date set for the end of 2014.

“This purchase demonstrates AECC’s forward-looking approach to diversifying their portfolio, as well as their understanding of the economic benefits that long-term, low-priced wind energy contracts offer to their members,” said Tom Hiester, senior vice president of development with RES Americas.

In a separate project, EDP Renewables North America LLC said it will provide wind power to Lincoln Electric System in Nebraska. The Oklahoman reported Monday that EDP will build a 100-megawatt wind farm in 2015 at Arbuckle Mountain that will provide power to LES for 20 years.

Lincoln Electric Systems CEO Kevin Wailes said the wind farm will bring lower-cost power to the company’s customers.

“We expect to begin realizing these savings in the first year, with the benefits increasing throughout the life of the contract,” he said.

The state now has 3,314 megawatts of installed wind capacity, which ranks sixth in the United States, according to the American Wind Energy Association. In addition, Oklahoma also has more than 500 megawatts in announced projects under construction, according to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.